Bag loader

ABSTRACT

In order to speed up the check-out of customers at a discount store operation, and in order to eliminate one person at the station who has to package the groceries or merchandise, the within invention has been developed. There is a tray with a cover which is of the overall dimensions of the typical grocery bag but slightly smaller. There is a lid cover on top of the tray. At the bottom of the tray is a movable tray to which a tongue is attached. At the end of the tray are a pair of doors. These doors are located away from the cash register area and toward the exit. When the cover is closed and the tray is filled with groceries a switch is actuated causing the doors to open and the tray and the tongue with the groceries to move through the doors. While the groceries are being placed in the tray, a bag is opened and is positioned horizontally to receive the groceries. As soon as the groceries have been inserted in the bag, the bag is now uprighted and the tongue acts as a shoehorn so that the groceries are gently deposited in the bag. The tongue and the tray are returned to the normal position and the bag filled with the groceries is conveyed in this instance to a rotary type conveyor which acts as a pick-up station from where the customer may collect the grocery bags. There is an electrical control circuit for synchronizing and operating the aforesaid functions. There is a special bag opening means whereby a blower assists the opening of the bags which are in a horizontal position in conjunction with suction cups which also assist the opening the bag and which suction cups are mounted on a movable arm which has to be displaced when the bags have been filled and are to be delivered to the conveyor. The electrical circuit is actuated by switches which are strategically placed at key locations along the path of the various pulleys and chains which operate the moving parts.

(let. 9, R973 BAG LOADER These doors are located away from the cash register area and toward the exit.

Willia A. Bodola y, '15 i ist Rd., East Longmeadow, M 01105 Inventor:

When the cover is closed and the tray is filled with groceries a switch is actuated causing the doors to open and the tray and the tongue with the groceries to Filed:

June 1972 move through the doors. While the groceries are being [21] Appl. No.: 260,781 placed in the tray, a bag is opened and is positioned horizontally to receive the groceries. As soon as the groceries have been inserted in the bag, the bag is now uprighted and the tongue acts as a shoehorn so that the groceries are gently deposited in the bag. The tongue and the tray are returned to the normal 66 oomw B3 34 9 x 8 B 8 m 52/ 1 W 5 .Bm cm Th c "-r na e mu .L C d S M UMF ll] 218 555 [ll 53/386385 position and the bag filled with the groceries is References Cited conveyed in this instance to a rotary type conveyor UNITED STATES PATENTS which acts as a pick-up station from where the customer may collect the grocery bags.

There is an electrical control circuit for synchronizing and operating the aforesaid functions. There' is a special bag opening means whereby a blower assists the opening of the bags which are in a horizontal position in conjunction with suction cups which also assist the opening the bag and which suction cups are mounted on a movable arm which has to be displaced when the bags have been filled and are to be delivered to the conveyor.

The electrical circuit is actuated by switches which are strategically placed at key locations along the path of the various pulleys and chains which operate the moving parts.

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PAIENTEDUCT 91m SHEET 2 (If B PATENTED w 9 ms SHEET 5 or 8 BAG roman This invention is concerned with a device to be located at the cash register of a supermarket or discount store for the purpose of expediting the loading of bags automatically without the need of human labor who previously placed the merchandise within the bags.

Many attempts have been made to automatically load bags at the cash registerof the supermarket as the cashier checks out the customer, but these attempts have failed because the system employed is too burdensome, slow, expensive, and awkward.

It is an object of the within invention to provide an automatic machine for feeding the bag to the cashier, locating the bag in an open position for receiving the merchandise to be inserted therein, placing the merchandise into the bag, and uprighting the bag for delivery to the customer.

It is another object of the within invention to provide a device that can now be operated by one person instead of several persons, in order to save the cost of labor at the checkout station of a supermarket or a discount store.

It is yet an additional object of the within invention to provide a means for'feeding a bag to the checkout station at a retail store, whereby the operator of the cash register can also operate the opening of the bag and the placing of the merchandise in the bag as well as the delivery of the bag to the customer.

It is also an object of the within invention to provide a means for saving the cost of labor at the checkout station of a retail store.

It is still an additional object of the within invention to provide a' machine that is inexpensive in the cost of manufacture, simple in design, efficient in operation, and time saving.

The machine that performs all of these accomplishments is located next to the cash register. The merchandise is placed on the counter by the customer as is presently conventional. The cashier, as she takes each item and rings up the cash register recording of the item, places the item into a tray which is located proximate to theposition where she is standing. When she fills the tray, she closes the cover on the tray. Immediately, a switch is activated causing the cycle of loading the items in the tray into a bag. There is a tongue 'which carries the groceries which are setting thereon, into a bag which is opened in a horizontal position. The bag has been pre-opened and is waiting for the receipt of the groceries. 'As soon as the tongue carries the groceries into the bag, and the groceries are now located within the bag, the tongue is returned to the tray and the'bag, at this particular time, is uprighted and sent out on a conveyer for delivery to the customer. The tray is now in position to receive a second load of groceries and the cycle is repeated.

For a more detailed description of this invention, reference is made to the following specification and to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of the front elevation of the device in diagrammatical style in order to show the various components necessary to carry out the function of the machine.

FIG. ll-A is a view in elevation and in diagramatic style of the filled grocery bag being delivered to the station where the customer is to pick same up.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, looking down, on the view of FIG. ll.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, similar to the view of FIG. 1, but with the groceries, the tray and the tongue located within the open bag.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the machine showing the beg being uprighted while the bag, tray and tongue are being returned to their original position.

FIG., S-A is the remaining portion of the bag as it is making contact with the rotary conveyer.

FIG. 6 is-a top plan view of the rotary conveyer.

FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of the circuits for controlling the various operations of the machine.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation diagramatic view of the bag opening station just prior to the opening of the bag.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing how the air has separated the bag with the assistance of the suction cup.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the bag fully erected.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the bag fully erected and the suction cups removed from the locus of the bag.

FIG. 12 is a top plan diagramatic view of the various pins and switches triggering the central switches.

FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION'OF COMPONENT PARTS The groceries 1 are located on the counter 2. The counter 2 is advanced towards the invention by a grocery advancing belt 9. This is all conventional. Adjoining the end of the counter 2 is an intermediate storage area $7. Proximate the storage area 47 is the grocery guard bar 46. The bar is located just before the grocery collecting tray 30. The grocery collecting tray 30 is like a box. It is substantially rectangular in shape and has length, width and depth dimensions. It is substantially the same size as a typical grocery bag and is of the same contour and substantially the same dimensions. The tray 30 has a tray top door 24. It also has a tray top door handle 25. The door 24 is also referred to as the door 26 when it is in the open position as seen in FIG.

At the bottom of the tray 30 is the insert tongue 31. This tongue 31 is made of a slippery, resilient, heavy plastic material. It is of the same dimension as the wide side of a bag; it is extremely thin and is attached to the tray pusher 48 by the tray insert clamp 32.

There are doors 13 at the end of the tray 31 near the position where the bag is located. See FIG. 4. Reference is made in the description of these doors 13 to both the view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. They are hinged at 23. The hinges 23 comprise a tortion spring which keeps the doors 13 normally closed. As soon as pressure is released from the doors 113, they automatically return to the position shown in the view of FIG. 2.

Doors 13 have a horizontal surface which can be seen in the dotted line of the view of FIG. 2. This further assists the delivery of the tongue in the bottom of the tray to the bag. It aids in keeping the bag fully opened and unraveled as the groceries are being inserted within the open bag 10.

There are supplies of shopping bags which are stacked in a closed position at 10a which can be seen in the view of FIGS. l, b, 9, III, and Ill. The conventional bags that are used for groceries have a fold for the bottom square of the bag. In order to operate this machine, it is necessary that the fold be up, instead of down. This can be seen in the view of FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 with the bottom part of the bag to the left of the view with the fold up. The bags are resting on a support tray 16. The support tray 16 is connected to the bag tray support rack 17. At the bottom or near the bottom of rack 17 are the bag feed rack pinions 21. Connected to the pinions 21 is the rack pinion shaft 19. There is a wind-up tension spring motor 18 which operates the pinion shaft 19. When shaft 19 turns, it forces rack support shaft 17 to rise upwardly, exerting pressure against the bag support tray 16 causing the bags to rise upwardly, exerting pressure against the bag support tray 16 causing the bags to rise against the clamp 20, so as to be clamped by clamp 20.

There is a fan 22 located so that it is blasting air across the area where the L is located with the bag stack 100. Because of this blast of air from the fan 22, the upper portion of the bag 20 is separated from the bottom side as they are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9. Operating at the same time as the blast of air from the fan 22 is the suction arm 15 which has attached to it the suction cup support manifold 12. The suction arm 15 is pushed downwardly in the arc of the path at 14 so that the suction cups 11 make contact with the surface of the top of the blown out part of the bag 10a as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and cause the bag 10 to become opened as the arm 15 returns to its upright position as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 which view the sequence of the operation. The bag is now in an open position as shown at 10.

It is, of course, necessary to have a transmission system operate the various moving parts the machine. The motor 43 is mounted below the machine. Connected to the motor 43 is the motor gear reducer 44 which is for mechanical advantage and speed control. The motor gear reducer 44 is connected by a chaim 50 to the forward cam shaft 51. There is mounted on the cam shaft 51, cam 57 for operating the suction arms 15. There is also a chain 42 which is connected to the motor gear reducer 44. Also connected to a distribution shaft 52, there is a tray drawing chain 41 connected to a tray drive shaft 38. There is a drive block 39 located beneath and attached to the tray and connected to the drive shaft 53. When the drive shaft 53 is in operation, chain 38 operates. Chain 38 carries the drive block 39 which causes the tray 30 to move into the bag and then to return to its original position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. There are two positions of the block 39 shown. There is the position whereby the tray is in the bag, and then there is the position shown in dotted lines whereby the tray is back in its original position; and the drive block 39 is now almost underneath the counter where the groceries are located. It might be restated that the block 39 connected to the tray 30 travels back and forth on the tray travel operating chain 38.

Chain 40 is the tray pusher driving chain and is con nected to the distribution shaft 52. It is also connected to the tray driving shaft 54. There is a tray pusher head or rod 36. The rod head 36 is connected to the tray pusher guide shaft 35. The guide shaft is connected to the tray pusher 48. There is a chain 37 connected around the shaft 54 and the shaft 54a. As chain 38 moves, it picks up 39 and moves it forward as in FIG. 3. This causes the tray 30 to insert the groceries in the open bag 10. This can be seen in the view of FIG. 3. Once the groceries have been inserted in the bag 10, tray pusher pin 49 is in contact with the rod head 36 and the rod head 36 now pushes the rod 35 which pushes the tray pusher 48 and tray tongue 31. The groceries 1 in the bag 10 are now conveyed off the tray and onto the discharge turn table pocket 61 as shown in the view of FIGS. 5 and S-A, 6 and l-A. When pin 49 is no longer in contact with rod head 36, the spring in the motor 33 will cause the tray pusher return cable 34 to pull the tray pusher return cable 34 to pull the tray pusher 48 into its original position within the tray 30.

The chain 38 under control of the control circuit which will be hereinafter described, again commences to turn and move. Mounted on chain 38 is a tray chain pin 3 which is inserted in tray travel chain lug block 39. Consequently, as chain 38 moves, and since block 39 is connected to it by the pin 3, and since the tray 30 is connected to the block 39, the tray 30 is then returned to the position from which it started by the pull of the chain 38 as shown in FIG. 1 in its original starting position.

The door 26 of the loading tray 30 can be opened, in preparation for additional groceries or items to be placed therein.

The tray 30 is mounted on the wheels 27 and 28. Wheels 27 are located on the sides of the tray 30 and at the rear thereof as shown in the view of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. The wheels 27 are mounted on an axle 85 that passes through one end of the support arm 84. Wheels 28 are mounted on an axle 86 which passes through the lug block 39 as can be seen in the view of FIGS. 3 and 5.

The wheels 27 and 28 rest and roll on the frame member 29 which acts as a railroad track.

The tongue 31 and tray pusher 48 are supported on rods 35 which ride in bearings 81 which bearings 81 are mounted in the rear bottom of tray 30 as shown in the view of FIG. 2.

OPENING AND POSITIONING OF BAGS Reference is now made to the view of FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 11, for a more detailed explanation of the delivery of the supply of bags to the loading station. A cursory statement of the function of the loading of the bags has been made, but it is felt, for the sake of clarity, that a more detailed description is in order. As previously stated, shaft 51 receives its rotary motion from the chain 50. When shaft 51 is operating, it causes the cam 57 to turn, which causes the arm 56 which has the ratchet teeth, hereinafter referred to as the bag suction operating rack, to move in contact with the bag suction operating pinion 55. As cam 57 reciprocates back and forth on shaft 51, the rack 56 will move back and forth operating the teeth and the pinion 55 back and forth, depending upon the motion of 56 whether it is to the left or to the right. If the motion of 56 is to the right, it will cause the arm, 15 to be in the upright position, as shown in FIG. 11. If, on the other hand, the arm 56 is moving to the left, then the arm 15 will be in the position shown in the view of FIG. 8. With this understanding of the motion that is transmitted, let us now explain how the bags move upwardly and are opened. As already stated, the blower 22 is functioning and causing a stream of air to go into the open edge of the bag, causing same to open up to some extent, as shown in FIG. 9. There is a conventional thumbcut in the bag on the upper surface thereof, referred to as 4 and shown in the view of FIG. 2. This thumbcut 4 with the blower 22 operating against the bag assists in the removal of the top of the bag over the clamp 20. The bottom of the clamp 20 is still holding the bottom surface of the bag as it is opened from the thrust of air from the blower 22.

While the bag is being blown open in this manner, the cam 57 is operating from the movement of the shaft 51. See FIG. II.

Let us examine the view of FIG. 8. The bag is closed and the blower is attempting to erect the top surface of the bag 10 over the clamp 20. Arm has now moved down so that the suction cup 111 is making contact with the upper surface of the bag 141i. There is, connected to the suction cups II, a hose, which is connected to a pump, which is not shown in the drawing. The cups Ill create a suction. When they are in contact with the surface of the bag, they are effectively attached to the surface of the bag 10 because of the suction created from the hose and in the cup ends. This, in conjunction with the air being blown from the blower 22, lifts the top surface of the bag as the arm 15 is moved upwardly as shown in FIG. 9. The arm 15 continues to move upwardly as shown in the view of FIG. 10, and the bag is continually open to the position shown in FIG. 10. It is to be noted that the various component parts change their position. For example, notice should be taken of the suction cup manifold 12 and the suction cup 11. They move in an are as the arm 15 moves in an arc towards the vertical position of the view of FIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 11 shows the positionof the bag popped open and FIG. 11 also shows the view of the cups 11 being pulled away from the surface of the bag. It is to be noted that thetray 30 remains, while this function of the bag opening is taking place; in its position as shown in the view of FIG. I. One of the important features of the design is to'have the suction cup 11 out of the path of the groceries II. In orderto do this, the suction cups are mounted on the suction cup support manifold 12. As the arm 15 swings back into position and as it goes from the vertical and beyond, a cam 5 which is stationary and which may be referred to as the suction head link pivot cam 5, causesthe-contact with the cam follower 7, which may be referred to as the suction head link cam follower 7, as arm 15 rotates further off the vertical as shown in the views of FIGS. 10 and 11, and because arm 58 is mounted on a pivot which may be referred to hereinafter as a suction head link pivot stud 6, the suction head link 58 which is an arm, also, is caused to swing out into the position shown in FIG. 11 and away from the areawhere the groceries 1 pass.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL CIRCUIT Reference is now made to the view of FIG. 7. As already stated, there are several operations takingplace either at the same time or sequentially in order to form the cycle of opening the bag, placing the bag in position, loading of the bag, and then the removing of the bag so that it eventually ends up in the turn table station-shown in FIG. 6.

In order to carry out these functions, electrical curcuits have been employed to operate the various cams and chains which in turn operate switches.

In FIG. 7 the circuit is connected to a source of 110 volts, 60 cycle alternating current, and on one side of the circuit is a power on-off" switch. Across this source of electrical energy is a commercial type clutch control power source 59 which is a rectifier and a stepup and step-down voltage control. Connected to 59, on one side, is an electrical conductor 62 which connects the rectifier 59 with the stepping switch 63. The circuit is completed from the stepping switch 63 through a plurality of solonoids and to the line 64. Solonoid clutch No. 1 is referred to as 65. Solonoid clutch No. 2 is re ferred to as 66 and solonoid clutch No. 3 is referred to as 68.

The stepping switch 63 is shown in the view of FIG. 7 in the idle or off position with its arm 69 in contact with position I When the contact arm 69 is in the idle position at 0, all circuits are open but the circuits from the clutch control power source 59 through the various solonoid clutches lI-3 are open. However, when the arm 69, for example, is in the position as shown in the dotted lines at l on the switch 63, current now passes through solonoid clutch 65, and back to the clutch control power source 59. This explanation applies equally to the position of the arm 69 of the switch 63 at the various switch positions 2-3-4 causing respectively circuits to the various solonoid clutches 66-68-69a.

Connected on one side of the electrical source is a conductor 70. From this conductor 70, connected in parallel, are a plurality of switches. Another conductor 71 is connected from the other side of the power source and passes through the stepping switch coil 72. An electricalcircuit is established from the stepping switch coil 72 to the plurality of switches by means of the electrical conductor 73. The plurality of switches, as shown in the view of FIG. 7, are referred to as switch I, switch 2, switch 3, switch 4, and switch 0. The contacts on switch 1 are referred to as 240, switch 2 has the contact 38a, switch 3 has the contact 37a, switch 4 has the contact 38b, and switch 0 has the contact 50a. The contacts are connected to the conductor so that if any of these switches are closed, the circuits are closed between one side of the voltage source through line 70, through the switches just mentioned, through the line 73, through the stepping switch coil 72 and back through the line 71.

The numerical designations of the switches have a relationship to the mechanical parts that have already been explained. Switch 1 is actually an interlock. It is operated when the door 24 is in closed position. Therefore the number 24a was given to this interlock switch 1. When the door 24 is closed, the contacts 260 of the interlock switch ll makes contact and switch I is closed causing an electrical circuit to pass through the stepping switch control coil 72. When the stepping switch coil 72 has a current through it during that moment, it causes stepping switch arm 69 to pulse one position to position No. 1 in a clockwise direction. When arm 69 is now in contact with position 1 on the stepping switch 63, an electrical circuit passes through solonoid 65. These solonoids are commercial solonoid clutches. Solonoid clutch 65 operates the chain 36. Contact 380 is located on switch 2 and causes the chain 38 to operate when the contacts 38a are closed. The contacts 38a are located proximate the chain 38 and are closed as chain 38 moves. See FIG. 12.

Once contacts 38a are closed, the stepping switch coil 72 causes a pulse, and therefore moves the arm 69 from position l to position 2. The circuit is then now closed through the solonoid 66, and since this is a clutch solonoid, chain 37 commences to operate. A pin 75 is located proximate chain 37 which, as chain 37 passes said pin 75, causes contact 37a to close on switch 3. The switch is now closed through stepping switch coil 72 of the stepping switch 63 causing the stepping switch arm 69 to move to the position No. 3. A circuit is now closed through solonoid 65, and since solonoid 65 is a clutch solonoid, chain 38 is caused to operate again. When chain 38 operates again, a pin 76 located near chain 38 causes contacts 38b on switch 4 to operate. Now, a circuit is closed through switch 4 and contacts 38b through the stepping switch coil 72 causing the stepping switch coil 72 to pulse and move the arm 69 to the position at 4. Now a circuit is closed through the solonoid clutch 68 and solonoid 69a which causes chain 50 to operate again and also the turn table of FIG. 6 to operate. There is a cam 78 located near chain 50 which causes the contacts 50a to close when chain 50 operates near this cam 78 and switch is now closed. The stepping switch coil 72 is pulsed and the arm on the stepping switch 69 returns to position 0 and none of the solonoids, 65-66-68-69a are operating. The cycle is complete. The door to the tray is opened. The tray door, being open, the switch 1 with the contacts 240 are no longer closed and the cashier can start to reload the tray.

There is a separate motor, not shown, which operates the rotary motion of the turn table of FIG. 6. The clutch solonoid 69a controls the motor drive of the turn table simultaneously with the erection of the bag. Switch 0 is in parallel with the bag erection function circuit as well as the turn table position control.

SUMMARY OF OPERATION To summarize the operation of this device, the cashier places the groceries inside the tray. The tray cover 26 is closed. The switch 1 in the view of FIG. 13

is closed when the cover 24 is closed. The switch 1 now closes the contacts to a stepping switch 63 as hereinbefore mentioned, causing the chain 38 to operate. The chain 38 operating, causes the loaded tray 30 to be inserted into the bag 10. When the groceries 1 are all the way in the bag, switch 2 is energized because of the type of contacting made by the chain 38 with pin 77 as shown in the view of FIG. 12. Chain 37 is now caused to operate. Chain 37 conveys the full grocery bag onto the discharge turn table pocket 61. Switch 3, in the view of FIG. 7, operates and causes chain 38 to again operate because pin 75 activates switch 3 in FIG. 12. Chain 38 is again in motion. This causes the tongue 31 in the tray 30 to return to its original position. Pin 76 activates switch 4. This causes switch 4 to close in the view of FIG. 7, and chain 50 to operate and the turn table motor to operate simultaneously. This causes in the view of FIGS. 8-11 the clutch 57 to operate and causes one of the bags to be opened and placed in position as previously described. Shaft 51 turns cam 78 and switch 0 turns off the operation of the machine at the end of the cycle.

The cycle is now complete. It only remains for the cashier to open the cover 26 so that switch 1 will now be in a position to be activated once the cover is closed. The tongue 31 acts as a shoehorn as the groceries 1 are removed from the bag 10. As the bag is removed from the tongue 31, the weight of the groceries are gently shifted in the bag which is being uprighted as the tongue is removed therefrom.

I claim: 1. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station comprising a tray, a conveyor means for said tray, a tongue in the bottom of said tray, means for opening a bag and placing said bag in a horizontal position adjoining said tray and tongue, means for inserting said tongue and tray into said bag after the groceries have been placed in said tray on said tongue, means whereby said tongue carries said groceries within said bag off the tray from a horizontal to a vertical position, and means for delivering said bag to a pick-up station.

2. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said tongue is connected at the end of said tray furthest away from said pick-up station, said tongue being of a resilient material whereby said tongue is flexible from the point where it is attached to said tray.

3. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said means for opening bags comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves, said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the movement of the said arm.

4. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 wherein said means for opening bags comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves, said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the movement of the said arm.

5. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein there are a supply of bags, one on top of the other, a clamp means for holding down the lower side of the top bag whereby when said arm moves, the upper side of the closed bag is pulled away from the clamped lower side of said bag so that said bag is opened.

6. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.

7. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.

8. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 5 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.

9. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

10. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

11. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

12. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

13. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

14. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a checloout station as described in claim 6 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.

15. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

116. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

17. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

118. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the trayand tongue have been returned to the loading position.

19. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at-a check-out station as described in claim 5 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

20. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 6 having doors,

said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

211. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 9 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.

22. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, saidstepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the op posite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.

23. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-station as described in claim 22, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for in serting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.

24. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the opposite side of each said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.

25. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 24, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.

26. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 16 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the opposite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.

27. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 26, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.

28. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 22, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.

29. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 23, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.

30. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 24, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being Closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.

31. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 25, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.

32. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 26, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.

33. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 27, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station. 

1. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station comprising a tray, a conveyor means for said tray, a tongue in the bottom of said tray, means for opening a bag and placing said bag in a horizontal position adjoining said tray and tongue, means for inserting said tongue and tray into said bag after the groceries have been placed in said tray on said tongue, means whereby said tongue carries said groceries within said bag off the tray from a horizontal to a vertical position, and means for delivering said bag to a pick-up station.
 2. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said tongue is connected at the end of said tray furthest away from said pick-up station, said tongue being of a resilient material whereby said tongue is flexible from the point where it is attached to said tray.
 3. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said means for opening bags comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves, said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the movement of tHe said arm.
 4. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 wherein said means for opening bags comprises a movable arm, a plurality of suction cups attached to said arm, means for positioning said arm so that the suction cups are in surface contact with a bag, and means for creating a vacuum within said suction cups causing the top side surface of the said bag to be attached to the suction cups whereby when said arm moves, said suction cups cause the top of the bag to move with the movement of the said arm.
 5. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein there are a supply of bags, one on top of the other, a clamp means for holding down the lower side of the top bag whereby when said arm moves, the upper side of the closed bag is pulled away from the clamped lower side of said bag so that said bag is opened.
 6. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
 7. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
 8. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 5 wherein there is a blower, said blower causing a blast of air to lift the upper top surface of the bag away from the lower surface thereof to engage the suction cups.
 9. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 10. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 11. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 12. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 13. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 5 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 14. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 6 wherein said tray and said tongue are of a dimension slightly smaller than the said bag.
 15. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 16. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 2 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and the tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 17. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into sAid bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 18. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 4 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 19. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 5 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 20. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 6 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 21. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 9 having doors, said doors being movably mounted by torsion spring hinges at the end of the tray near the position where the bag is located, said doors being opened when said means for inserting the tray and tongue into said bag is operated, and said doors closing under tension of said hinges when the tray and tongue have been returned to the loading position.
 22. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 1 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the opposite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
 23. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-station as described in claim 22, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.
 24. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 3 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stEpping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the opposite side of each said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
 25. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 24, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.
 26. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 16 having an electrical circuit for controlling the operation of said device, said circuit connected to a source of electrical power, a plurality of switches connected to one side of the said source of power, a stepping switch having a coil, the other side of the said switch being connected to said stepping switch coil and then to the other side of said source of power, said stepping switch operated under the control of said stepping switch coil, said stepping switch with a movable arm having the same number of contact-positions thereon as said number of plurality of switches, a clutch control power source connected to said source of electrical power, the other side of said clutch control power source connected to the movable arm of said stepping switch, a plurality of solonoids, each of said contact-positions on said stepping switch connected to each one of said solonoids, the opposite side of each of said solonoids connected to said opposite side of said clutch control power source whereby when one of said switches operate, the said stepping switch moves one position to close a circuit to operate a complimentary solonoid.
 27. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 26, wherein one of said solonoids causes the means for opening the bag to operate, one of said solonoids causes the means for inserting the tongue and the tray into the bag to operate, one of said solonoids is causing the bag opening means to move away, and another of said solonoids is causing the tongue and tray to return to their original starting positions.
 28. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 22, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.
 29. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 23, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when saiD tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.
 30. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 24, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.
 31. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 25, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.
 32. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 26, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station.
 33. A device for packaging groceries in a bag at a check-out station as described in claim 27, each of said switches adapted to be closed at a particular point of time in the cycle of operation of said device, to wit: the first of said switches being closed when the cover of said tray is closed, the second of said switches being closed when the tray and the tongue are inserted in the bag, the third of said switches being closed when said tray and tongue are removed from said bag, and the fourth of said switches being closed after said bag is filled and causing said filled bag to be delivered to the pick-up station. 